Vegetable
Broccolini with Toasted Almonds
This crisp broccolini is topped with toasted almonds and breadcrumbs to give it some texture and depth of flavor from the almonds. The oils from the almonds permeate the breadcrumbs, and help to give some crunch as well. Best of all, this is a quick and healthy side that you can make in under 10 … Continue reading
Butternut Squash Risotto
This was an incredibly easy weeknight dinner after a week of long and involved meals. You can also potentially use up holiday leftovers, since I pre-roasted the squash the day before and added the mashed squash right at the end. It still has all the holiday flavors, but it’s great all winter long. Butternut Squash … Continue reading
Crispy Orange-Scented Brussels Sprouts
I created this recipe one night this week when we had only a few minutes to cook dinner but wanted some green veggies to go with some braised chicken. The lovely crispy leaves add texture and the orange zest gives it a light, citrusy aroma. It’s going to become a holiday favorite, and you can … Continue reading
Parsnip Gratin
Gratins make anything better. A nice cheesy, crunchy crust on top of any vegetable is an improvement. I also love that you can make gratins ahead of time and finish the cooking in the oven, so you can leave the kitchen and entertain guests. And of course this makes them perfect for the holidays, when … Continue reading
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Well, it’s been a challenging couple of weeks on the M&M front; first the hurricane and then my computer decided to die on me. Consequently, I feel like Thanksgiving has snuck up on me. I don’t think I will be making a full Thanksgiving meal this year, however I will do a Thanksgiving-inspired menu. I … Continue reading
Farinata
This is a traditional Ligurian recipe made from chickpea flour, so it’s gluten-free. I particularly liked making it really thin, so it gets nice and crispy. You can change the toppings or leave them off completely, and it’s a delicious hearty snack. This is an adaptation of an original recipe from Marcella Hazan, the Julia … Continue reading
Roasted Thyme Tomatoes
I love heirloom cherry tomatoes from the farmer’s market. They are so sweet and flavorful, and I love to make a big batch of these slow-roasted tomatoes and keep them in the fridge to toss in everything. They’re also fabulous on their own, just on a couple slices of toasted baguette. The olive oil mixes … Continue reading
Eggplant Caponata
Caponata is an Italian eggplant dip that I love for parties. It’s more healthy than most of my party appetizers and it’s vegetarian, so everyone likes it. This version has some Sicilian flavors (where the cuisine is highly influenced by its proximity to Africa), including some cinnamon, pine nuts, and currants. Red pepper flakes give … Continue reading
Stuffed Mushrooms
It’s time for another recipe upgrade. I love making stuffed mushrooms, and they’re so quick on a weeknight. I wrote this recipe a while back, but it needed better pictures. For the nights when I don’t want meat, these fill their place easily. I sometimes change up the ingredients in the stuffing depending on what … Continue reading
Pan-Fried Baby Artichokes
This was an old post that I decided needed an upgrade…better pictures and more detail. It’s artichoke season, and I love this easy way to make delicious, crunchy artichokes similar to artichokes a la romana. I love fried artichokes but I don’t love frying at home…both because of the amount of oil you need to … Continue reading
